India vs England 1st Test, Day 3: Five interesting highlights of the day’s play

After two days of sunny and bright weather clouds finally accumulated over Nottingham and Indian bowlers would not have asked for anything else. With Captain Alistair Cook back in the hutch young batsmen Rob Samson and Gary Ballancestarted the proceedings on day 3 as England were still trailing by 414 runs. Spirited bowling display by Ishant Sharma and Co. made sure India maintain their upper hand while Joe Rootled counterattack along with the tail. England at the close of play on Day 3 are 352-9 with 105 runs behind.In case you missed the action earlier here are five interesting highlights of the day’s play.

Samson & Ballance take England forward: With overhead cloudy conditions England pair Rob Samson and Gary Ballance did well to hold on and were watchful for first hour. The two started to play shotsonce they settled down and got to their respective half-centuries at the brink of lunch. As the trend has been so far in this test match,post lunch a wicket fell as Robson was adjudged lbw thus ending his and Ballance’s stand of 125 runs for the 2nd wicket.

Ishant Sharma hands India advantage: Ishant Sharma was perhaps the best bowler on display as he kept bowling in right areas and soon after lunch his patience paid off when he removed opener Rob Samson with an incoming delivery that struck on his back leg. Six overs later Ishant he had well set Gary Ballance plumb lbw in front of the wicket to peg England back. Dhoni persisted with Ishant from one end as he looked the only bowler to trouble batsmen.Ian Bell was his third victim of the day as he was caught behind by Dhoni. Ishant’s quick three wickets helped India take driver’s seat.

Broad plays cameo:England middle-order fell apart hurriedly and were 202-7 when Stuart Broad came out to bat.Broad did not hold back and went on attacking bowlers, thereby playing some exquisite shots. As India took the new ball Broad found the middle of the bat on most occasions and added a quick-fire 78 runs for the valuable eighth wicket with Joe Root. He scored 47 runs off 42 balls before Bhuvneshwar Kumar trapped him lbw.

Root stays rooted:While wickets kept falling Joe Root held the England innings together. He played a perfect spectator when Broad was on attacking spree.Root defied the Indian attack and played a patient knock, but was quick to pounce on odd balls. He completed his fifth test half-century and then along with James Anderson frustrated the Indian attack with a half-century stand to see England not only avoid follow-on but inch closer to India’s 1st innings total. At the end of day’s play he was unbeaten on 78 along with Anderson (23).

Bhuvi chips in: Just when Broad-Rootpartnership was making merry Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck twice in space of seven overs to send back Broad and then Liam Plunkett. Earlier, After Ishant’s fiery spell Bhuvi in one over removed Matt Prior and Ben Stokes, both caught behind to leave England in all sorts of trouble. However, Prior was victim of poor umpiring as Kumar Dharmasena thought he had edged the ball.